In Matthew chapter 7, Jesus talks about bearing good fruit, in context he also says here to beware of prophets, wolves who prophecy in his name. He teaches here that good fruit is doing the will of the Father. NOTHING else, He also talks about hearing his voice and doing likewise. If we just use religious logic and isolated verses to know what the will of the Lord is then as we set out to produce fruit, it becomes bad and we accidentally become wolves (who always pursue compliant sheep.)

If we know how to hear him then it’s just a matter of doing only what we hear. No logic, no reasoning on what seems like the right thing to do, not hearing sermons and doing likewise, it is a hearing of Jesus directly that is to guide the Christian.

So now if we look at those who are “prophesying” (preaching) in Jesus’ name, the quality of that fruit is judged if it is in line with the will of the father, which is the hearing of Jesus and doing likewise.

Read Matthew 7:15-27

So then if we follow around those who are prophesying and singing and sermonizing in his name. If we want to declare that good fruit (because we like those guys and want to be like them) if it is good fruit it must be what the will of Jesus Christ is (concerts and self help sermons) OR these people are off doing their own thing because they are good at collecting money that way, and it is not good fruit at all… as far as the Lord is concerned.

I tend to think all the beautiful songs and persuasive sermon (religious self help logic) is very bad fruit because it looks and sounds so good, it boldly portrays itself aligned with Jesus but most of it is self help.

Self help is bad because it is the epitome of godless religion. Picking oneself up by one selves bootstraps and becoming great by will, by effort stands contrary to a life surrendered in death to Jesus Christ. And allowing him to live through us.

A close look and it’s not hard to realize that self help ministry is just not what Jesus is doing. Never was, he just does not interact or guide or seek his people through concerts and sermons.

It’s entertainment, at best, it can become much worse.